Chapter 6: Making Friends with Hongyun, Tasting Ginseng Fruit

  Four thousand years had passed, and Si Qing once again arrived at the Zi Xuan Palace. As soon as he entered the palace, he saw that Nü Wa was already seated on the fifth cushion, while her brother Fu Xi sat cross-legged to one side.

  Tongtian laughed and said: "I thought it would be us four brothers who arrived first, but I didn't expect that this time it was actually Nüwa Shimei and Fuxi Daoyou who arrived first. It's really impolite of me."

  Nüwa hurriedly returned the courtesy and said: "Tongtian Shixiong is being too polite, you and I are both disciples of the same teacher, what's wrong with the four senior brothers coming later?"

  Fuxi beside him also stood up and saluted Siqing: "Fuxi has seen all the Taoist friends!"

  The four of them also returned the courtesy: "Fellow Taoist, you are polite."

  After the ceremony was over, Siqing also sat down in his own seat and closed his eyes to meditate.

  Before long, the Zhunti and the usher with a bitter face also arrived. After another round of greetings, it wasn't long before the great masters of the Honghuang also arrived at the Zixu Palace. The first to arrive were Dong Huang Taiyi and Emperor Jun.

  The Eastern Emperor Taiyi and Emperor Jun are the favored sons of Heaven, born on the Sun Star. Their true bodies are the Golden Crows of the Sun. At birth, Eastern Emperor Taiyi held the Primordial Chaos Bell, a treasure transformed from the Heavenly Axe that opened up the sky. Emperor Jun was born holding the two great primordial spiritual treasures, the River Map and the Luo Book. After listening to the Dao in the Purple Mist Palace last time, their cultivation made great progress, and they cut off one corpse, achieving quasi-sainthood. When the Ancestor Hongjun finished his first lecture on the Dao, the two returned to the Sun Star and built the Sun Palace. Then, relying on the Chaos Bell and the River Map and Luo Book, they subdued the spirits transformed from the grass, wood, and beasts in the Primordial Wilderness, known as "yao". They had ten great yao gods under their command: Ying Zhao, Ji Meng, Fei Lian, Lu Wu, Bai Ze, Bi Fang, Qiong Qi, etc. Each of them had achieved the cultivation of a Great Luo Golden Immortal. Moreover, Kunpeng served as their strategist, and they established the Heavenly Court in the Thirty-Three Heavens. Emperor Jun even used the River Map and Luo Book to observe the starry sky and comprehend the Zhou Tian Star Array, which would be difficult for even a saint to break if set up by a saint!

  The Chaos Bell is after all a pre-heavenly treasure, capable of suppressing the Three Thousand Hongmeng Worlds and also suppressing the aura of luck. From then on, the demonic tribe's aura of luck greatly increased, its momentum was overwhelming, and it even rivaled the twelve ancestral witches led by the witch tribe, constantly fighting. Even the Four Purities did not dare to make things difficult for them.

  Then, some more powerful Taoists arrived one after another. Suddenly, Hongyuan's eyes lit up as he saw a red gourd hanging from the waist of Red Cloud Ancestor and Zhenyuanzi. Hongyuan bowed to Red Cloud: "Greetings, fellow Taoist Red Cloud! I pay my respects!"

  Hongyun hurriedly returned the courtesy and said: "I have returned the courtesy, but I don't know what business you have?"

  Hong Xuan smiled and said, "Nothing else, I have heard that you are a virtuous person when I traveled to the Desolate Expanse in the past. We have been spiritual friends for a long time. I want to make friends with you, but I don't know if you are willing?"

  Hongyun was suddenly aware of the honor and felt surprised! It must be known that Hongyuan is the incarnation of Pangu Yuanshen, it can be said that this heaven and earth are opened by the Four Pure Ones, so his identity is noble. What's more, as a direct disciple of Da Zu Hongjun, who in the vast world dares to provoke him? Even now, like the sun in the sky, the two emperors Donghuang Taiyi and Emperor Jun would have to address him as "Daoist friend". Now, Hongyuan actually wants to make friends with himself, how can he not be surprised?

  Hongyun composed himself and said: "It is indeed a great honor! However, Hongyun is ignorant and does not know what virtues or abilities he possesses."

  Hong Xuan said calmly, "Fellow Daoist is too modest. I know that Fellow Daoist has the reputation of being a 'Great Good Person of the Vast Expanse', and this alone makes it worthwhile for me to interact with you."

  Hearing Hongyuan mention his own nickname, even if Hongyun had cultivated for countless eons, with a Daoist heart as firm as ever, he couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

  Hongyun was about to speak again, but suddenly heard a "ding" sound, and saw that Hongjun's figure had appeared on the high platform in the center. Without time to say much, he hastily paid his respects to Hongxuan and sat down to listen to the Dao. Hongxuan also returned the courtesy, sitting in his own seat with a calm mind to listen to Hongjun's great Dao.

  The Supreme Tao was spoken from Hong Jun's mouth, and the sky was filled with light, the earth surged with golden lotus flowers, and the sound of the immortals was heard. This time, the lecture was different from the last one, the last time it was about the way to cultivate immortality, but this time it was about the Primordial Tao, which was even more obscure and difficult to understand, mysterious and extraordinary. Yuan Shi and Tong Tian only understood five-tenths of it, while Lao Zi and Hong Xuan understood seven-tenths because they had already cut off their worldly desires. The Four Pure Ones were like this, let alone other cultivators, Nu Wa frowned, Zhuang Ti was angry, Jie Yin's face was even more bitter, and the other listeners were even more astonished, with a hundred different expressions.

  Thus, unknowingly, three thousand years had passed, and Hongjun finally stopped his lecture.

  Hongjun glanced at the crowd lightly and said, "Three thousand years have passed, you all go, I will talk about the great way three thousand years later." After finishing speaking, he no longer paid attention to the crowd and gradually disappeared from view.

  Everyone knew that this sermon was over and they could only bid each other farewell, waiting for another 3,000 years to come again.

  Hong Xuan stopped the departing Red Cloud Ancestor and turned to his three senior brothers, saying: "I want to make friends with Red Cloud Daoist for a while. The three seniors can return first and I will be back soon."

  Laozi said: "Since the fourth junior brother has left, we will return to Kunlun Mountain first." After speaking, he took the lead and ran off, with Yuanshi and Tongtian following Laozi.

  After the three of them left, Hong Xuan turned around and said to Red Cloud: "Red Cloud fellow daoist, why not invite me to your immortal mansion for a visit? We can also discuss the great dao together and make progress with each other!"

  Hongyun couldn't help but feel that this was the first time he had discovered Hongyuan's stubbornness. Who would ask to go to someone else's cave just after meeting? Wouldn't that be impolite? But seeing Hongyuan's expression, as if it were a matter of course, Hongyun could only respond perfunctorily along the way.

  Hong Xuan secretly laughed in his heart: "Good Red Cloud, I wanted to save your life, but you don't even know. No matter, it's good that you don't know now. If I weren't from the future, how would you have known?"

  He didn't even bother to argue with him, and the two of them rode on the seven-colored auspicious cloud for a while. Suddenly, Hong Xuan's eyes turned around, and he said to the red cloud beside him: "Fellow Taoist, you didn't invite me first, but I want to go to your cave mansion. Just now, it was my fault for being rude!"

  Hongyun hastily said, "Where, where? I was worried that I wouldn't have the chance to discuss the great way with fellow Taoists, how could I bear a grudge?" But in his heart, he thought: You know you were rude, so what's wrong with inviting you to my cave?

  Hong Xuan nodded and said: "Indeed! The Great Way is vast and boundless, we should exchange and complement each other's deficiencies."

  Hong Yun also said: "Elder brother's words make sense!"

  Hong Xuan Dao said: "Since that's the case, I think it's better not to disturb Daoyou's cave. I've heard that Daoyou is on good terms with Zhenyuanzi Daoyou, why don't we go to Zhenyuanzi Daoyou's cave and discuss the Tao together?" After speaking, he pulled Hongyun and drove the cloud towards Wuzhuangguan.

  Hongyun was speechless. He had not expected that Hongyuan would think of going to Wuzhuangguan, and what he said earlier was actually a trap set by him. Could this "great good man" be so easily deceived? Well, it didn't matter if he went anyway! Hongyun could only shake his head and smile wryly at Hongyuan's cunning.

  Two people drove the cloud all the way, very fast, and soon saw a mountain far away. When they got closer, they recognized the true face of this mountain. Hong Xuan couldn't help but sigh that it was a good mountain, but what he saw was:

  The high mountain is steep and majestic, with a grand momentum. Its roots connect to the Kunlun Mountains, and its peak touches the Milky Way. White cranes often come to perch on the fir trees, while black apes sometimes hang from the wisteria vines. When the sun shines on the forest, thousands of red mists swirl around; when the wind blows through the valleys, millions of colorful clouds fly by. The birds chirp wildly in the bamboo groves, and pheasants fight each other among the wildflowers. Only the Thousand-Year Peak, Five Blessings Peak, and Hibiscus Peak can be seen, standing tall and majestic, radiating a brilliant light; the Longevity Rock, Tiger's Tooth Rock, and Three-Peak Rock stand out, emitting a propitious aura. The grass in front of the cliff is lush, and the plum blossoms on the ridge are fragrant. The thorns are dense and dark, while the angelica and orchids are delicate and light. In the deep forest, eagles and phoenixes gather with thousands of birds, while ancient caves shelter unicorns that rule over millions of beasts. The stream water is emotional, winding and turning to gaze back; the peaks and ridges are continuous, layer upon layer, circling around. Again, one sees the green pagoda trees, spotted bamboos, blue pines, standing together for thousands of years, competing in beauty; white plums, red peaches, and emerald willows, shining brightly with vibrant colors for three springs. Dragons roar and tigers howl, cranes dance and apes wail. Deer emerge from the flowers, and green birds sing facing the sun. This is indeed a blessed land of immortals, just like Penglai Paradise. This is precisely Mount Wanshou!

  In the mountains, there is a temple called Wuzhuang Temple. Inside the temple, there is an immortal named Zhenyuanzi, also known as Yuanshengjun. The temple produces a rare and precious treasure that was formed during the chaos of the universe's creation, when heaven and earth were not yet separated. This treasure is called Caohuandan or Renshengguo. It blooms once every 3,000 years, bears fruit once every 3,000 years, and takes another 3,000 years to ripen. After a short period of 10,000 years, only thirty fruits are produced. The fruit resembles a three-year-old child, with all four limbs and five senses complete. If someone has the fortune to obtain this fruit and smells it, they will live for 360 years; if they eat one, they will live for 47,000 years. Indeed, it is one of the three great spiritual roots produced by the primordial chaos, truly extraordinary!

  Two people arrived at the Guan, but saw that someone had been standing outside the door waiting for a long time. If it wasn't Zhenyuanzi, then who was it?

  Town Yuanzi smiled from afar and said, "I sensed a disturbance in my mind today, so I calculated with my fingers and knew that a noble guest was arriving. That's why I've been waiting here. It turns out it's Hongxuan Dao friend and Red Cloud Dao brother! I pay my respects!"

  Hong Xuan smiled and said: "I've been waiting for a long time, I didn't invite you first, please forgive me for my impoliteness!"

  Zhenyuanzi smiled and said: "Oh no, oh no! Fellow Daoist, you're being too polite. The two of you please follow me to the pavilion for a chat."

  Hongyuan and Hongyun thanked him again, then followed Zhenyuanzi into the temple.

  When the host and guest sat down, Hong Xuan said: "Fellow Taoist is indeed a blessed person. Wanshou Mountain is truly a treasure land of immortals. Fellow Taoist cultivates the truth here, it's really like being a carefree and self-at-ease immortal!"

  Zhenyuanzi heard this and laughed loudly, saying: "Hongxuan Daoyou is indeed overpraising me. I think the Kunlun Mountains where you live are much better than my humble abode!"

  "Brother, why must you belittle yourself? All things in this world are determined by the Heavenly Way. The Heavenly Way regards all living beings as ants, and we are all struggling ants under its rule. However, in my humble opinion, even if we are just ants, we should strive to be the best ants we can be. Those who cultivate well and possess good skills and treasures are the superior ants."

  Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi were stunned, never expecting Hongxuan to say such a thing. But after careful consideration, they realized that although his words were straightforward, they were also reasonable, so for a while, both of them fell silent.

  Perhaps seeing the atmosphere was dull, Zhenyuanzi chuckled and said: "Two Taoist friends rarely come to Wuzhuangguan for a sit, but I haven't even set up a banquet to entertain you yet. It's really Zhenyuanzi being lazy with honored guests!"

  Hongyun said to Zhenyuanzi, "Fellow Daoist, there's no need for this. You and I have been friends for many years, we know each other inside out. Since Hongxuan is also here today, why not invite us to try some of the fruit?"

  Zhenyuanzi heard this and smiled bitterly, saying: "This poor Daoist knew that you had been thinking of my ginseng fruit all along. Never mind, I'll give you two today, what's the harm?"

  Hong Yun was overjoyed and said: "So that's it, you have such a wonderful fruit and didn't bring it out to entertain us, are you going to let it go bad?"

  Zhenyuanzi could only helplessly shake his head, no longer paying attention to Hongyun. He turned to the child beside him and said: "Tong'er, go to the garden and pick six ginseng fruits for me. I have a distinguished guest to entertain today."

  Tongzi bowed to Zhenyuanzi and was about to go to the back garden to pick some fruit, but saw Hongxuan stopping him. Tongzi said to Zhenyuanzi, "Fellow Taoist, I've heard that your ginseng fruit is one of the three great spiritual roots of the Primordial Chaos. I've never seen it before, could you take me to see it?"

  Nodding, Zhenyuanzi said: "What's wrong with that? The two of you follow me!" After speaking, he led the way first. Hongyuan and Red Cloud also followed behind him. Before long, they turned a corner and saw:

  A jade balustrade, winding and towering. Strange flowers and beautiful days compete in beauty, green bamboo and blue sky contend for clarity. Outside the Flowing Cup Pavilion, a curved green willow is like a trailing cloud; In front of the Moon Appreciation Platform, several clusters of tall pines are like splashing ink. Red and fluffy, brocade nests; Green and delicate, embroidered grass. Blue and lush, emerald sandalwood; Gentle and flowing, creek water. The red osmanthus reflects the golden well, the paulownia leans against the jade balustrade. There are thousands of peach blossoms, either red or white, and chrysanthemums in nine autumns, either fragrant or yellow. The trellis is covered with peonies, the wooden pavilion is connected to the peony garden. Look at the proud frost gentleman bamboo, the snow-deceiving official pine. There are also crane villages and deer residences, square ponds and round pools; Springs flow like shattered jade, the ground is piled with gold. The north wind touches the plum blossoms white, spring arrives and breaks the red hawthorn. What a wonderful fruit garden! In the center of the fruit garden, on a tree hangs thirty pomegranates, not one more or less, probably because they have just grown, and Zhenyuanzi has not had time to enjoy them yet. Hongxuan and Red Cloud happen to arrive together, just in time to enjoy them together.

  Zhenyuanzi took out an object from his sleeve, which was a red gold bar about two feet long and as thick as a thumb; at the bottom was a garlic-like head; on top were eyes, tied with a green silk string. Zhenyuanzi said to the two people: "This thing is called Jinbizu, it must be used to get the ginseng fruit." Immediately, he shook his hand and the Jinbizu flew up to the tree, knocked down six fruits and wrapped them back.

  Zhenyuanzi brought a tray of ginseng fruit in front of the two and said, "Both fellow Taoists eat it, if you pass six hours then it will be useless."

  The two of them nodded and each took two ginseng fruits to savor carefully. Hong Xuan felt that the fruit melted in his mouth, and instantly a clear stream flowed throughout his body, continuously purifying his entire body's magical power, making him feel refreshed. After finishing the two fruits, Hong Xuan couldn't help but exclaim: "Indeed one of the three great spiritual roots of Chaos, truly extraordinary!" Hong Yun also nodded in agreement.

  Zhenyuanzi smiled slightly and said: "This is the only fruit that I, a poor Daoist, can bring out from the entire Wanshou Mountain. If you like it, then that's good."

  The three of them immediately sat cross-legged under the ginseng fruit tree, discussing the Tao with each other. In this way, a hundred years passed like a snap of the fingers, and all three felt that their Tao had made great progress, with considerable gains.

  Hong Xuan stood up and said to the two: "I have disturbed you for a long time, but it's time for me to bid farewell and return to the mountain." Hong Yun heard this and also said: "My cave has not been taken care of for a long time, I should go back too. Thank you for the ginseng fruit, fellow Taoist!"

  Zhenyuanzi heard this and didn't stay any longer, saying: "In that case, I won't keep the two fellow Taoists here either. Let me see you off!" Afterwards, he accompanied Hongxuan and Hongyun out of the temple, bidding each other farewell with a bow. Hongxuan also bid farewell to Hongyun and left.

  It was in the Purple Mist Palace where he heard it again and realized that Red Cloud was a good person.

  Visiting Wanshou Temple together, I realize that spiritual roots nurture immortal seeds.